Pet Dental Cleaning and Periodontal Therapy
Pet dental cleaning and periodontal therapy are essential for your pet’s health and well-being. Periodontal disease is common among pets and can lead to significant discomfort if left untreated. Our team at Aggie Animal Dental Center takes a thorough approach to dental cleanings, removing all detectable plaque and tartar below the gumline to relieve inflammation. With advanced diagnostic techniques and personalized care, we aim to address dental issues early, ensuring your pet’s oral health and preventing more severe complications down the line.
Essential Pet Dental Care
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most frequent health issues in dogs and cats. Just as skipping a few days of brushing can cause your gums to bleed when flossing, plaque bacteria can trigger an inflammatory response in your pet’s gums. If your pet’s teeth are rarely brushed and they do not receive regular professional dental cleanings, inflammation and periodontal disease can become significant concerns.
At Aggie Animal Dental Center, we view dental cleaning as an essential health procedure, not a cosmetic one. While it’s true that clean teeth contribute to a brighter smile, our main goal is to remove plaque and tartar below the gumline, where they can cause inflammation and damage. We use ultrasonic scaling units equipped with various tips to clean teeth of different shapes and sizes both above and below the gumline. After scaling, we polish the teeth to remove any imperfections in the enamel and create a smooth surface that slows down plaque accumulation.
Identifying and Treating Periodontal Disease
To assess potential bone loss associated with periodontal disease, we conduct full-mouth radiographs and detailed oral health examinations for each patient undergoing periodontal treatment. When bone loss is detected, we present one of three treatment options:
Periodontal Treatment Options
For pets experiencing significant dental health issues, different treatment options are available to address and manage periodontal disease effectively.
- Advanced Periodontal Therapy: This method involves scaling and root planing with specialized hand instruments called curettes. In some cases, we may place an antibiotic directly into the gum pocket to prevent immediate reinfection and promote bone regeneration.
- Guided Tissue Regeneration: In cases of significant bone loss around one or two specific areas of a tooth, guided tissue regeneration may be recommended. This procedure involves gum surgery, open root planing, and the placement of a bone graft to help restore the bone structure.
- Tooth Extraction: Teeth that have lost 40% or more of their supporting bone will require extraction. In addition, in cases where toothbrushing at home is impossible and/or the patient cannot return for follow-up x-rays and periodontal treatment every 6-12 months, teeth with >30% bone loss should be extracted.
To learn more about periodontal disease, read our client handout.
Schedule Your Pet’s Dental Check-Up
Pet dental cleaning and periodontal therapy is vital for maintaining your pet’s oral and overall health. If you suspect your pet may be suffering from dental issues or if it’s time for their next dental check-up, contact Aggie Animal Dental Center today. Ensuring that your pet receives thorough dental care can make a significant difference in their quality of life and health.